Major Oil Sludge problems 97-02 Vehicles

I have been servicing vehicles since 1990 and have in the last few years seen a drastic increase in the amount of sludge in a growing number of vehicles.
A recent customer had just bought a 2001 Dodge Dakota v8 and towed in because the oil pressure was fluctuating from 0 to 40psi, I pulled the valve cover and what I found was astonishing to me. I have never in my 20+ years seen so much sludge in an engine.
The removal and flushing is in my own opinion an expensive repair. For instance a typical bill for just cleaning the oil pan in this particular vehicle is $700. Think about that the next time you don't have your oil changed on time. Regular oil changes can and probably will save you thousands of Dollars.


Vehicles effected-
97-2002 most makes and models
Symptoms-
*fluctuating oil pressure from normal to 0
*visible sludge in oil cap-tan or white
*knocking or tapping
How is sludge formed?- oils suspend contaminants so they do not settle on engine parts and cause wear . When the oil becomes saturated with contaminant particles the particles stick to each other causing a Gel which is commonly called sludge. It is ABSOLUTELY impertinent to perform oil changes before sludge(gel) is formed. I recommend following the heavy service interval specified in your owners manual. Synthetic oil does not prevent these contaminants but are marginally better at suspending more contaminant particles.
SluWhy- In 1996 more strict federal emissions standards were passed.Fuel mixtures started to run leaner, leaner mixtures cause higher combustion temps. When nitrogen in the air is raised to higher temperatures it is converted into contaminants . Around 1996-97 Oil sludge became a major problem.
Mik's Recommendations-
*Have your oil and filter changed at NO MORE THAN 3000 miles (NOT ONE MILE OVER)
*Have your oil system flushed every six months
*use synthetic oil
*use a WIX 1 quart filter (I am not sponsored by Wix)
*install longer pickup tube and over sized oil pan(-more oil capacity= less contaminant per measure)
*Change your coolant regularly
*Have your pcv valve checked

How Automobile Engines Work (basics)

Welcome to Mik's Auto Online. So you want to know how your engine works? You've come to the right place. In the very near future I will be writing, in my words, an article on how to understand your engine .I'll do my best to make it easy to understand and post links for gearheads,soccer moms,Geeks, and anyone who has trouble understanding.
It is difficult because there are over 200+ moving parts to the internal combustion engine and you need to understand what each do and how they work together to move & stear or stop the car.

The image above points out the main parts , your car or truck will have all of the parts listed whether it's a 4,6,8, or 10 cylinder. Once any of these parts break it's usually the end of your vehicles service life. The replacement of any of these parts is in the $800 and up range for parts and labor. Nearly all back yard mechanics do not have the tools and knowledge to correctly replace these. I HIGHLY suggest any replacement of these parts be done by a reputable, A.S.E. certified Automotive Technician like myself.

So you want to find a Sports Car/Hotrod on the cheap

These days it's getting harder to find a fun car for less than $3000. It is however possible.There are so many different models that are fun to drive for different reasons.There is a multitude of Underated All-American Cars And Trucks Each one has it's own style.
I always start on Craigslist to get a good idea of what is out there locally, I never go to a dealer unless they have something rare. If there is nothing on craigslist then I go to EBAY.
The best deals however are found by word of mouth

More Automotive tips

Even though your vehicle may still be under warranty you are not required to return to a dealership for scheduled maintenance. You may have the Independent Shop of YOUR choice maintain your vehicle and not void your warranty.

Always refer to the manufacturer's specifications in your vehicle owner's manual, but a good rule of thumb is to have the oil and filter changed regularly, every 3,000 to 4,000 miles when using conventional engine oil and every 5,000 to 6,000 miles when using synthetic engine oil.

Don't use Synthetic oil unless your Manufacturer suggests it or you're driving a high end sports car or heavy duty truck, although you can usually go twice as long between oil changes, Synthetic costs more than twice the price of conventional oil.

Have all fluids inspected, including brake, power steering, transmission/trans axle, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant. These fluids play a vital role in the safety and performance of the vehicle.

Inspect tires and inflation once a month. Under-inflated tires can result in a loss of fuel efficiency and premature tire wear. This is the least expensive form of preventive and safety maintenance.

Keep your engine tuned. A fouled spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent.

Replace your O2 sensors on time.They should be checked with a tuneup.

Have the chassis lubricated frequently. This step extends the life of the moving components of the vehicle's suspension system.

Inspect battery, cables and posts for corrosion and clean as needed.

Have the lighting system inspected frequently, including headlights, turn signals, brake lights and tail lights.

Inspect windshield wiper blades for cracks, tears and windshield contact. Replace them at least once a year or sooner if streaking begins.

Inspect engine belts and hoses regularly. Look for wear, cracks and missing sections or segments. Worn belts and hoses can affect the safe operation of your vehicle.

Have the air filtration system inspected frequently. The air filter should be inspected approximately every other oil change for clogging or damage.

Inspect and replace your vehicle's cabin air filter regularly. The cabin air filter cleans the air to the heater and A/C system and affects the air you breathe while driving your vehicle.

Remove auto grease from hands with baking soda and water.

When tuning up your car, set the gap on spark plugs using the widest gap that the manufacturer recommends. Your car will run better, idle better, and will give you better gas mileage.

Apply Dielectric grease or Vaseline to battery posts for better contact.

If wipers are beginning to wear down, you can extend their life by rubbing them briskly with sandpaper.

Prevent rust by keeping the underside of your car clean also. Place a lawn sprinkler under your car and turn on full blast. Move occasionally so it will reach all areas. This is a good way to remove all salt and road grime.

Excellent post on how to save money on your car maitainance

Chris at Automotive addicts.com wrote a pretty good article Four ways to save money on your car in a recession. For those of you who are interested.

Thank you for your Payment!!!

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Mik's Auto up and running

Hello, you've got the man himself here. 11 P.M. and I'm putting together a blog for the shop. I've got a bunch of ideas but not enough time to do all of them myself.
Starting a cruiz night the first Saturday of every month, Let's get all of the hot rodders, Tuners, Bikers, Sport bikers, Mudders, together to show off our rides and have a lot of fun.From 5-9p.m. drive by the shop and give a good rev!!